Device swapping apparatus for portable computer

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a device swapping apparatus and method for a portable computer have advantages in that the detachable device detachably mounted to the portable computer can be easily detached from the portable computer or that the installation space can be reduced. An embodiment of a device swapping apparatus can include a seating space at a side of a detachable device, a driving rod with a rod body where at least a part of which is always positioned within the seating space, and a front handle selectively protruding forwardly from the housing. A cam and cam follower can selectively operate so that the rod body can be either fastened in or protrudes from the seating space whenever the driving rod is pushed into the seating space. An elastic member can provide an elastic force against the driving rod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable computer, and moreparticularly, to a device swapping apparatus for a portable computer.

2. Background of the Related Art

A portable computer has a light, thin and small configuration for thesake of convenience of portability. A device to be selectively used inthe portable computer is detachably mounted into a bay of a main unit ofthe portable computer. Examples of devices to be detachably mounted intoa bay include optical disk drives, batteries, heat radiating units, andthe like. As an example of such devices, an optical disk drive will beherein described.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an external appearance ofa general portable computer. Referring to FIG. 1, the portable computer1 generally includes a main unit 3 and a display unit 5. The main unit 3generally takes the shape of a flat rectangular plate and includesvarious kinds of parts of a notebook computer 1 including a main board,a CPU, a memory, a hard disk drive 9, an optical disk drive 10, abattery and the like. Further, a keyboard 7 is provided on a top surfaceof the main unit 3.

Although the hard disk drive 9 is configured to be detachably mounted tothe portable computer, it is necessarily used to operate the notebookcomputer 1. However, the optical disk drive 10 is not necessarily usedto operate the notebook computer 1. Therefore, the optical disk drive 10can be selectively mounted into a bay (not shown) formed in the mainunit 3 of the portable computer. On the other hand, if the optical diskdrive 10 is not mounted in the bay, an additional device such as anauxiliary battery can be mounted therein. The optical disk drive 10includes a connector 11.

A liquid crystal panel is generally employed in the display unit 5,which is connected to a rear end of the main unit 3, so that the displayunit is folded to or unfolded from the top surface of the main unit 3.The display unit 5 is formed to take the same shape of a flatrectangular plate as the main unit 3.

The optical disk drive 10 is used in a state where it is inserted in thebay of the main unit 3. At this time, an additional mechanism can beused to fasten the optical disk drive 10 to the main unit 3 such thatthe optical disk drive is not inadvertently detached from the main unit3.

However, the related art portable computer described above has variousdisadvantages. For example, when the optical disk drive 10 was insertedin the bay of the main unit 3, it is not easy to detach the optical diskdrive 10 from the main unit 3. The reason is that when the optical diskdrive 10 is mounted into the bay, the connector 11 is connected toanother connector in the main unit 3 and a front end of the optical diskdrive 10 does not protrude from the main unit 3.

Further, a certain mechanism for allowing the optical disk drive 10 tobe pushed outwardly from the portable computer may be installed withinthe bay of the main unit 3. However, the mechanism for allowing theoptical disk drive 10 to be pushed outwardly occupies a large space inthe bay, and an additional structure for transmitting a force applied bya user to the mechanism should also be installed in the main unit 3.Thus, this configuration also hinders the portable computer from beingmade light, thin and small.

The above references are incorporated by reference herein whereappropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternativedetails, features and/or technical background.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to solve at least the above problemsand/or disadvantages or to provide at least the advantages describedhereinafter.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device swappingapparatus capable of swapping devices detachably mounted to a portablecomputer.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce or minimize a spaceoccupied by a device swapping apparatus for swapping the devicesdetachably mounted to the portable computer.

Another object of the present invention is to simplify the configurationof a device swapping apparatus used in the portable computer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device swappingapparatus capable of swapping devices detachably mounted to a portablecomputer that can reduce costs or increase reliability of the device.

In order to achieve at least these objects or advantages in a whole orin part, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, asembodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a deviceswapping apparatus for a portable computer that can include a detachabledevice and a handle provided at a side of the detachable device, whereinthe handle is within the area of the detachable device, wherein thehandle moves between a first position extending partially outside thedetachable device and a second position, and wherein the handle isremoved with the detachable device.

To further achieve at least these objects or advantages in a whole or inpart, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodiedand broadly described herein, there is provided a device swappingapparatus for a portable computer that can include a housing coupledwithin a lateral surface of a detachable device having a seating spacetherein, a driving rod including a rod body slidingly positioned withinthe seating space of the housing, and a front handle configured toselectively protrude forward from the housing, a cam and cam followerconfigured to selectively operate so that the rod body is eitherfastened in or protrudes from the seating space whenever the driving rodis pushed into the seating space and an elastic member configured toprovide an elastic force in a direction to urge the driving rod from theseating space.

To further achieve at least these objects or advantages in a whole or inpart, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodiedand broadly described herein, there is provided a portable computer thatcan include a main body rotatably attached to a display body, a devicedetachably installed in a side surface of the main body and a handleintegrally provided along a side surface inside a case of the device,wherein the handle is configured to move between at least two positions,and wherein the handle is removed with the device.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will beset forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realizedand attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in detail with reference to thefollowing drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an exploded perspective view of theconfiguration of a general portable computer;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an exploded perspective view of theconfiguration of a portable computer in which a preferred embodiment ofa device swapping apparatus according to the present invention isemployed;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a perspective view of a preferred embodimentaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a perspective view of a configuration of apreferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 a is a perspective view showing an exemplary driving rod of thedevice swapping apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 b is a perspective view showing an exemplary cam follower of thedevice swapping apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operating state where a handle ofthe driving rod protrudes outwardly from the portable computer accordingto the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 7 a to 7 g are diagrams illustrating a sequentially operatingprocess where the cam and cam follower are interlocked with each otheraccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of anembodiment of a portable computer in which a device swapping apparatusaccording to the present invention is employed, and FIGS. 3–4 areperspective views showing configuration of the device swapping apparatusaccording to the embodiment. FIG. 5 a is a perspective view showing anexemplary driving rod of the device swapping apparatus according to theembodiment, and FIG. 5 b is a perspective view of exemplary cam followerof a device swapping apparatus.

As shown in FIGS. 3–5 b, a bay 22 can be provided at a portion in alateral surface of a main unit 20 of the portable computer. The bay 22is a portion into which a detachable device 30 can be mounted.

A variety of detachable devices 30 necessary or useful for the portablecomputer can be mounted in the bay 22. Examples of the detachabledevices 30 may include an optical disk drive, a battery, a heatradiating unit, and the other devices. However, the present invention isnot intended to be so limited. Each of the detachable devices 30 can bedesigned to have such an external appearance that can be accommodated inthe bay 22.

A device holder 40 can be fastened to the exterior of the detachabledevice 30. In this embodiment, the device holder 40 can have a ‘

’ shape such that it surrounds the opposite lateral surfaces and rearsurface of the detachable device 30. That is, the device holder 40 ispreferably fastened to at least one of the surfaces except a frontsurface, which is exposed to the opening of the bay, and top and bottomsurfaces of the detachable device 30. One reason is that the height ofthe main unit 20 may be increased if the device holder 40 is fastened tothe top and/or bottom surfaces of the detachable device 30. Further, onereason that the device holder 40 is not fastened to the front surfaceexposed to the opening of the bay 22 is that the front surface becomesan entrance of the disk, for example, where the detachable device is adisk drive.

A housing 50 can be provided on a side of the device holder 40. Thehousing 50 can be integrally formed on the side of the device holder 40.The housing 50 is preferably positioned at a stepped portion of the sideof the detachable device 30. Thus, a device swapping apparatus can bewithin a footprint of the detachable device 30 in the main unit 20. Thehousing 50 can be formed with a seating space 52 opened to one surfacethereof and formed to extend in a direction from the rear to the frontof the detachable device 30. A front face of the seating space 52 can belocated at the entrance of the bay 22 for the detachable device 30 canbe opened to the front of the detachable device 30.

A guide rod 54 can be provided in the seating space 52 to extend in adirection in which a driving rod 70 can reciprocably move. The guide rod54 can be integrally formed on the housing 50 with a spring 56 installedaround the guide rod 54. The spring 56 can be a cylindrical coil springand impart an elastic force to the driving rod 70.

Guide rails 58 can be formed along both side ends of the seating space52. Each of the guide rails 58 can serve to guide the movement of thedriving rod 70 in the seating space 52. The guide rail 58 can be formeddiscontinuously along the both side ends of the seating space 52.

A cam 60 can be formed within the seating space 52. The cam 60 can allowthe driving rod 70 alternately to be seated in or to protrude forwardlyfrom the seating space 52. An exemplary configuration of the cam 60 willnow be described.

A cam fence 62 can protrude in the seating space 52 to form a frame ofthe cam 60. A cam path 63 can be defined, for example, within the camfence 62. The cam path 63 can become a path along which a hookprotrusion 86 of a cam follower 80 (described below) is moved. The campath 63 can be mainly divided into a release section 63R and a hooksection 63L. If the hook protrusion 86 of the cam follower 80 remains inthe release section 63R, it is in a state where the cam follower 80 isnot caught in the cam 60. In the hook section 63L, however, the camfollower 80 can be caught on a cam protrusion 64.

The cam protrusion 64 can be formed in a position within the hooksection among an internal area defined by the cam fence 62. For example,the cam protrusion 64 can be generally shaped as a heart. However, thepresent invention is not intended to be so limited.

Between the outer circumference of the cam protrusion 64 and the camfence 62 can be a predetermined gap, which in turn becomes the cam path63. An entry guide surface 65 can be provided on the cam protrusion incongruity with the release section 63R. The entry guide surface 65preferably allows the hook protrusion 86 of the cam follower 80 to beguided into the hook section 63L. A stepped portion 65′, which cancontinue from a front end of the entry guide surface 65, can be formedon the floor of the cam path 63. The stepped portion 65′ can serve toreduce the likelihood or prevent the hook protrusion 86 from beingguided to an exit guide surface 69 of the cam protrusion 64.

A hook guide surface 66 can be formed on the cam protrusion 64 at aposition where the entry guide surface 65 ends. The hook guide surface66 can be formed at the position where the entry guide surface 65 ends,so that it is generally inclined in a direction opposite to a guidedirection of the entry guide surface 65. A hook portion 67 can be formedat an end portion of the hook guide surface 66. The hook portion 67 is aportion in which the hook protrusion 86 of the cam follower 80 can becaught.

A release guide surface 68 can be formed to be inclined from the hookportion 67 in a direction opposite to a guide direction of the hookguide surface 66. As shown in FIG. 7 a–7 f, the release guide surface 68and the hook guide surface 66 can form a V shape. However, the presentinvention is not intended to be so limited.

The exit guide surface 69, which continues from an end portion of therelease guide surface 68, can be formed on the cam protrusion 64. Theexit guide surface 69 can be coupled to the front end of the entry guidesurface 65. The exit guide surface 69 and the entry guide surface 65 canalso form a V shape.

The entry, hook, release and exit guide surfaces 65, 66, 68 and 69,which can be formed sequentially around the circumference of the camprotrusion 64, are designed to be spaced apart from the cam fence 62 bya substantially constant interval, respectively. Further, when it goesalong the cam path 63 around the cam protrusion 64 in the order of theentry, hook, release and exit guide surfaces 65, 66, 68 and 69, thefloor of the cam path can be gradually raised and then suddenly loweredat the stepped portion 65′.

As shown in FIG. 4, the driving rod 70 can be mainly composed of a rodbody 72 and a handle 74. The rod body 72 can be installed within theseating space 52 of the housing 50. The rod body 72 can take the shapeas the seating space 52. The rod body 72 can be rectangular in sectionand take the shape of a flat hexahedron elongated in one direction.Guides 73 can be discontinuously formed along both side ends of the rodbody 72 and cooperate with the guide rails 58 to allow the rod body 72to be moved (e.g., in a single reciprocating movement) within theseating space 52 and also to limit the protruding degree of the rod body72 from the seating space 52.

As shown in FIG. 5 a, a rod seating channel 76 can be formed in the rodbody 72 of the driving rod 70. The guide rod 54 is preferably positionedin the rod seating channel 76 as the driving rod 70 moves. A seated end76′ can be formed at a tip end of the rod body 72 corresponding to anentrance of the rod seating channel 76. The seated end 76′ can be aportion on which an end of the spring 56 is supported.

A fixing channel 77 can be formed in the rod body in parallel with therod seating channel 76. A fixing portion 84 of the cam follower 80 canbe positioned and fixed in the fixing channel 77. Two hooking holes 78can be formed in the fixing channel 77 at a regular interval.

As shown in FIG. 5 b, a follower body 82 of the cam follower 80 can beformed by bending a wire or the like with a predetermined diameter.However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited. Thefollower body 82 can be formed with the fixing portion 84 at an endthereof. The fixing portion 84 can be bent to have a ‘

’ shape and passes through the two hooking holes 78 to be fixed in thefixing channel 77.

The cam follower 80 can be formed with the hook protrusion 86 at theother end thereof. The hook protrusion 86 is preferably bent to beperpendicular to the extending direction of the cam follower 80. Thehook protrusion 86 can be guided along the cam path 63 such that thedriving rod 70 can be received in or protrude from the seating space 52.

Operations of an embodiment of a device swapping apparatus for theportable computer according to the present invention will now bedescribed. The detachable device 30 can be mounted in the bay 22 of themain unit 20.

When the detachable device 30 is mounted in the bay 22, only the frontsurface thereof is preferably exposed to the outside of the main unit20. At this time, the handle 74 of the driving rod 70 can also beexposed toward the front surface (e.g., evenly with the front surface)of the detachable device 30.

To detach the detachable device 30 from the bay 22 of the main unit 20in such a state, a knob (not shown) or the like by which the detachabledevice 30 can be fastened to the main unit 20 can be first released. Theknob is generally provided on the floor of the main unit 20. If the knobis released, the detachable device 30 can be detached from the bay 22.

In the meantime, a state where the driving rod 70 does not protrude fromthe front surface of the detachable device 30 can correspond to a statewhere the hook protrusion 86 of the cam follower 80 is caught in thehook portion 67 of the cam protrusion 64. As shown in FIG. 6, the hookprotrusion 86 can be positioned on the cam path 63 corresponding to therelease section 63R out of the cam protrusion 64 when the driving rod 70protrudes from the front surface of the detachable device 30.

Upon use of the detachable device 30, the handle 74 of the driving rod70 should be first in a state where it does not protrude from the frontsurface of the detachable device. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 a, thehook protrusion 86 should be caught in the hook portion 67 of the camprotrusion 64. At this time, although the spring 56 can urge or causethe rod body 72 to be pushed outward from the seating space 52, thedriving rod 70 cannot protrude outward from the front surface of thedetachable device since the hook protrusion 86 of the cam follower 80can be caught in the hook portion 67.

To detach the detachable device 30 from the bay 22, the knob should befirst manipulated to unfasten of the detachable device 30. The handle 74can be caused to protrude outwardly, and then, the handle 74 should bemerely pulled outwardly.

Such operations will now be described. If the user presses the handle 74of the driving rod 70, the rod body 72 can be moved in a direction of anarrow against the elastic force of the spring 56 as shown in FIG. 7 b.Therefore, the hook protrusion 86 can be guided along cam fence 62facing the release guide surface 68.

If the user release the force exerted on the driving rod 70 after thehook protrusion 86 has exceeded a position corresponding to the endportion of the release guide surface 68, both the rod body 72 and thecam follower 80 can be moved in a direction of an arrow due to therestoring force of the spring 56 as shown in FIG. 7 c. At this time, thehook protrusion 86 can be guided along the exit guide surface 69 or thecam fence 62 facing the exit guide surface.

The movement of the hook protrusion 86 along the exit guide surface 69or corresponding cam fence 62 can be automatically made because of therestoring force of the spring 56. When the hook protrusion 86 has passedover the stepped portion 65′ and reached the release section 63R of thecam path 63, the driving rod 70 is in a state where it protrudesoutwardly. At this time, the guides 73 may also serve to prevent thedriving rod 70 from protruding outwardly beyond a prescribed point, forexample, as shown in FIG. 7 d.

If the handle 74 of the driving rod 70 is pulled outward in a statewhere the handle 74 protrude forwardly, the detachable device 30 can bedetached from the bay 22. One reason is that the device holder 40, whichis integrally formed with the housing 50 with the driving rod 70, can befastened to the detachable device 30.

Operations will now be described for how the driving rod 70 can bereceived in the bay 22. If the user presses the handle 74 with his/herhand, the hook protrusion 86 can be moved from the release section 63Rto the hook section 63L among the cam path 63. For example, when the rodbody 72 is moved against the elastic force of the spring 56, the hookprotrusion 86 can be guided along the entry guide surface 65. Forexample, the stepped portion 65′ can prevent the hook protrusion 86 frommoving toward the exit guide surface 69. FIG. 7 e illustrates that thehook protrusion 86 is guided along the entry guide surface 65.

If the hook protrusion 86 passes over the entry guide surface 65 as theuser pushes the driving rod 70, the hook protrusion 86 can be guided toa portion on the cam fence 62 facing the hook guide surface 66 as shownin FIG. 7 f. At this time, it can be a state where the guide rod 54 isinserted to the utmost in the rod seating channel 76.

If the user releases the force exerted on the driving rod 70 in such astate, the driving rod 70 can be moved in a direction of an arrow shownin FIG. 7 g due to the restoring force of the spring 56 and then guidedalong hook guide surface 66 or corresponding cam fence 62. Further, thehook protrusion 86 is preferably caught in the hook portion 67 of thecam protrusion 64. In such a state, the handle 74 does not protrudeoutwardly as shown in FIG. 2.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.Furthermore, for ease of understanding, certain method procedures mayhave been delineated as separate procedures; however, these separatelydelineated procedures should not be construed as necessarily orderdependent in their performance. That is, some procedures may be able tobe performed in an alternative ordering, simultaneously, etc.

As described above, embodiments of a device swapping apparatus andmethod for a portable computer according to the present invention havevarious advantages. In embodiments of the present invention, to detach adetachable device from a bay of the portable computer, a user can causea driving rod to protrude and then to be pulled outwardly. Therefore,since it can be easy to detach the detachable device from the portablecomputer, there is an advantage in that the user's convenience can beimproved. Further, since a mechanism for detaching the detachable devicefrom the bay of the portable computer can be integrally formed on thedetachable device itself and also particularly installed within a spacedefined between the detachable device a surface (e.g., the floor) of thebay, there is another advantage in that the portable computer can bemade light, thin or small. In addition, since components of themechanism can be installed at a side of the detachable device or theconfiguration thereof are also simplified, there is a further advantagein that the reliability in its operation can be enhanced or theproduction costs can be reduced.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and arenot to be construed as limiting the present invention. The presentteaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Thedescription of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, andnot to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications,and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In theclaims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structuresdescribed herein as performing the recited function and not onlystructural equivalents but also equivalent structures.

1. A device swapping apparatus for a portable computer, comprising: adetachable device; a handle coupled to the detachable device, whereinthe handle is within the area of the detachable device, wherein thehandle moves between a first position extending partially outside thedetachable device and a second position; and an engagement deviceconfigured to engage the handle when the handle moves between the firstposition and the second position, wherein the engagement device includesa path having opposing side surfaces and a bottom surface therebetween,wherein the path has an entrance portion, a holding portion, and an exitportion, wherein the exit portion of the path has an inclined bottomsurface that is higher where the exit portion meets the path than wherethe entrance portion meets the path.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,comprising: a housing provided at the side of a detachable device. 3.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the first position, the handle isused to remove the detachable device from the portable computer, andwherein the handle is removed with the detachable device.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein in the second position, the handle isretracted into the detachable device.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the detachable device is an optical disk drive, a FDD, a HDD, abattery, a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) module, a cardbusdevice or a storage medium.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thehandle has a thickness less than the detachable device.
 7. A deviceswapping apparatus for a portable computer, comprising: a housingcoupled within a lateral surface of a detachable device having a seatingspace therein; a driving rod including a rod body slidingly positionedwithin the seating space of the housing, and a front handle configuredto selectively protrude forward from the housing; a cam and cam followerconfigured to selectively operate so that the rod body is eitherfastened in or protrudes from the seating space whenever the driving rodis pushed into the seating space; and an elastic member configured toprovide an elastic force in a direction to urge the driving rod from theseating space, wherein the cam is formed in the seating space of thehousing, and wherein the cam follower includes a hook protrusion, havinga front end thereof guided along the cam, and a rear end thereof fixedto the driving rod, wherein the cam and side surfaces in the seatingspace are connected by a bottom surface to form a “U” shaped path,wherein the path includes an entrance portion, a holding portion and anexit portion, and wherein the exit portion has an inclined bottomsurface that is higher where the exit portion meets the path.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the housing is coupled to a device holderfastened to at least one side surface of the detachable device.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the device holder is integrally formed asone body with the detachable device.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein the device holder is part of the detachable device.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the device holder is fastened to oppositelateral surfaces and a rear surface of the detachable device.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the elastic member is a cylindrical coilspring wound around a guide rod elongated within the seating space ofthe housing along a sliding direction of the driving rod, and wherein anend of the guide rod is supported on a seated end of the rod body. 13.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the rod body of the driving rod isconfigured to have a rod seating space in which the guide rod isselectively inserted, further comprising: guide rails formed on bothside ends of the seating space of the housing configured to limit anextent the rod body protrudes from the housing.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the cam follower travels in a single direction alongthe path as the driving rod is repeatedly pushed into and retracted fromthe housing.
 15. A portable computer, comprising: a main body rotatablyattached to a display body; a device detachably installed in a surfaceof the main body; and a handle inside the device, wherein the handle isconfigured to move between at least two positions, wherein the handlecomprises, a first portion fixedly coupled to the device, a secondportion configured to movably mount on the first portion to extend fromand retract into the device, and a recessed path in the first portionhaving an entrance portion, a holding portion and an exit portion,wherein the recessed path includes opposing side walls connected by abottom surface, and wherein the exit portion has an inclined bottomsurface that is higher where the exit portion meets the path than wherethe entrance portion meets the path.
 16. The portable computer of claim15, wherein the detachable device is an optical disk drive, a FDD, aHDD, a battery, a digital multimedia broadcasting module, a cardbusdevice or a storage medium.
 17. The portable computer of claim 15,wherein the first and second portions are resiliently engaged, andwherein a protruded portion of the second portion moves along therecessed path as the handle moves between first and second positions.18. A portable computer, comprising: a main body rotatably attached to adisplay body; a device detachably installed in a surface of the mainbody; and a handle inside the device, wherein the handle is configuredto move between at least two positions, wherein the handle comprises, afirst portion fixedly coupled to the device, a second portion configuredto movably mount on the first portion to extend from and retract intothe device, and a cam and cam follower configured to selectively operateso that the second portion is either fastened in or protrudes from thefirst portion whenever the second portion is pushed into the firstportion, wherein the cam is formed in the first portion, and wherein thecam follower includes a hook protrusion, having a front end thereofguided along the cam, and a rear end thereof fixed to the secondportion, wherein the cam and side surfaces in the first portion form apath having two side surfaces connected by a bottom surface, wherein thepath includes an entrance portion, a holding portion and an exitportion, and wherein the exit portion has an inclined bottom surfacethat is higher where the exit portion meets the path.
 19. The portablecomputer of claim 18, wherein the inclined portion of the exit portiondelineates a side of the exit portion adjacent the path to force the camfollower into the entrance portion when the cam follower is retractedinto the device.